Powder spreading device



June 30, 1970 w. BLAKE 3,517,335

POWDER SPREADING DEVICE I Fileci April 1, 1968 //v l/E/V roz {044L465 544%5 United States Patent 3,517,885 POWDER SPREADING DEVICE Wallace Blake, 63 2nd St., Hallowell, Maine 04347 Filed Apr. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 717,742 Int. Cl. A62c 13/40 US. Cl. 239309 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for dispersing powder such as insecticide, fertilizer, and the like in a relatively small area not suitable for receiving powder spreading machinery, the device comprising an explodable container enclosing the powder together with an explosive charge, which, upon exploding, will spread the powder in all directions.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for spreading powdered substances.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved powder spreading device for dispersal of powdered substances such as insecticide, fungicide, plant food, fertilizer decontaminant, or the like in relatively small areas where powder spreading machinery would not be readily adaptable, such as a small garden, a confined room, or the like.

Another object is to provide an improved powder spreading device which employs a breakable capsule for containing the powder and an explosive medium therewithin.

Yet another object is to provide a powder spreading device wherein the explosive medium may comprise a non-dangerous means for accidentally exploding.

Yet another object is to provide a powder spreading device wherein the explosive medium comprises a generally harmless material that is introduced into the capsule at the time when explosion is desired.

Other objects are to provide an improved powder spreading device which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efiicient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a similar view of a modified form of the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1, shown fragmentarily, and showing yet another modified form of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sleeve member employed in the construction shown in FIG. 5, the sleeve member shown contracted, and

FIG. 7 is a similar view thereof shown expanded.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a powder spreading device 10 is shown comprised of a thin-walled, expandable sphere ice 11 having a hollow neck 12 secured over one end of a hose 13 connected at its other end to an air compressor (not shown). The sphere 11 is fitted into an outer frangible sphere 14 containing a quantity of powder 15, the sphere 14 having a hollow neck 16 fitted with a plug 17 having central opening 18 therethrough through which the neck 12 of sphere 11 is fitted. A clamp 19 is fitted around the neck 16, the clamp being secured to one end of a pole 20.

In operative use, the pole is supported from its opposite end so to place the unit 10 in the vicinity where the powder is desired to be spread. A change of compressed air is delivered into the inner sphere causing it to expand, and burst the outer sphere explosively thus scattering the powder.

In a modified construction shown in FIG. 2, a capsule 20 is shown comprised of frangible, thin-walled vessel 21 containing powder 22 and an explosive cap 23 with charge 24 therein which is activated electrically by means of wires 25 extending outward of plug 26 within neck 27 of the vessel 21. A similar clamp 19 supports the capsule on the end of a pole 20.

In a still further modified form of the invention shown in FIG. 5, the capsule 28 is generally identical to the structure illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes like parts identified by line reference numerals, however in the present construction a hose 13 is supplied disassembled from the capsule, and may be readily secured thereto when so desired. Accordingly the capsule 28 additionally includes an expandable sleeve 29 fitted within the neck of the inner sphere, the sleeve 29 being adaptable to receive the end of the hose therein.

The sleeve 29 comprises a cylindrical member made of flexible rubber 30 having an inner metal liner 31 formed of a plurality of arcuate segments 32 in said edge abutment so that the liner 31 at rest is of tubular character and does not collapse under the compressing pressure of the rubber 30. One end of the liner is outwardly flared as shown at 33 so to readily receive the hose which is of a relatively enlarged diameter. Upon introduction of the hose, the sleeve 29 will expand from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 7; it being noted that the segments 32 spread apart thus allowing the metal liner to expand.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an improved powder spreading device, the combination of a frangible vessel containing powder, said vessel having a hollow neck communicating with an interior chamber containing said powder, means extending through said neck and into said chamber for exploding said vessel to disperse said powder wherein said means comprises an internal vessel of resilient expandable material placed within the first said vessel, which comprises an external vessel, said internal vessel having a hollow neck communicating with a chamber in said internal vessel, and means for expansion for said internal vessel.

2. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said expansion means comprises an air hose received in one end of said internal vessel neck, the other end of said hose being connected to a compressed air source, a collar between the internal and external necks, and a clamp around the outer side of the external neck, said clamp being secured to one end of a pole.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein a sleeve is fitted Within the internal neck, said sleeve comprising a cylindrical member including a tubular, expandable rubber member having a metal liner therewithin said metal liner being comprised of a plurality of longitudinal, transversely arcuate sections in side edge abutment with each other and affixed on their outer sides to said rubber member, one end of said liner being outwardly flared to receive said hose in frictional engagement.

4 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1904 Pierce 16928 8/1943 Puchner 16928 ALLEN N. KNOWLES, Primary Examiner M. Y. MAR, Assistant Examiner 

